Written by Dr Chien-Wen Liew

You’ve managed for quite a while with a restricted range in your shoulder, but now the pain is there every day and night.

This guide is to help you learn more about the two main types of Total Shoulder Replacements – Conventional and Reverse.

A conventional total shoulder replacement is one where the ball (humeral head) is replaced by a ball, and the socket (glenoid) is replaced by socket. A reverse is when they are switched around. Seem strange? The number of reverse total shoulder replacements is rising steadily due to the fact that they do not rely on an intact rotator cuff to function well. In many leading countries, reverse total shoulders are more common than conventional replacements due to their high satisfaction rates.

Shoulder Arthritis

Do you have Shoulder Arthritis? The shoulder is a complex structure, with many parts of the shoulder playing a role in the pain that you may experience. Other common areas include the neck and elbow, which may radiate to the shoulder and mimic shoulder arthritis. A limited range of motion, and night pain are common features of shoulder arthritis.

A reverse total shoulder is putting the ball where the socket was, and the socket where the ball was. This gives the shoulder a mechanical advantage by moving the centre of rotation to a more suitable position, especially when there is any sign of defunctioned or deficient rotator cuff.

Article

How to Manage
Shoulder Arthritis
Non operatively

SHARE THIS:

Non Operative Management

Tips to use before your Shoulder Replacement

When you first develop shoulder pain, you might be some time away from needing a total shoulder replacement. Some of the strategies used here can help you delay your surgery for months or years, depending on how bad your arthritis is. The following are some strategies to try. This includes natural anti-inflammatories such as Glucosamine, Fish Oil and newer agents (unproven) such as Tumeric and Curcumin.

Ask the Surgeon

Visit us on Facebook to “Ask the Surgeon”

Want to ask us a question? Visit us on Facebook and post your question. Your questions will be public, and answered as soon as possible.

Facebook LinkedIn Google+ Dr Liew recently hosted an event at the Walkers Arms Hotel in Adelaide, where over 135 guests attended for a seminar about total hip replacement surgery over morning tea. The topics included hip arthritis, with a focus on...

Facebook LinkedIn Google+ Ankle arthritis is less common that Hip and Knee arthritis. In fact, while Hip and Knee arthritis is commonly attributed to genetics and ‘wear and tear’ with increasing age, the ethology of ankle arthritis is often quite different. The most...